Principal News
Week 6, Term 1
Dear Families,
We sincerely thank you in advance for your understanding as we close the school tomorrow and Friday so our staff can attend our annual conference this week. This targeted professional opportunity serves two key purposes: engaging in purposeful professional learning and strengthening our staff culture - fostering relationships, shared values, and connectedness, all essential ingredients for a successful school. While we acknowledge that the timing may not be ideal for all families, the benefits of this extended weekend are significant. It provides both students and staff with a valuable opportunity to reset and recharge after what is typically a fast-paced start to the school year, ensuring we all finish the term on a high.
Staff Professional Development - School Closure
At St Joseph's, we are committed to fostering a safe and supportive learning environment where every child can thrive. As part of our ongoing professional development, our staff will participate in aworkshop led by Berry Street Education Model, focusing on strategies to support students socially, emotionally and behaviourally.
The session will provide valuable insights into the consistent behaviours that help young people feel safe, engaged and ready to learn. By equipping our teachers with these tools, we continue to strengthen our approach in supporting student wellbeing and academic success.
We are grateful for the expertise shared by Sharyn, our Berry Street Education Model presenter, and look forward to implementing these strategies to further enhance our school community and, most importantly, the wellbeing of our students.
A Wonderful Success – St Joseph's Open Days!
We were thrilled to welcome so many prospective families to our three fantastic Open Days (one more to follow), where they had the opportunity to experience firsthand the calm and vibrant learning community that makes St Joseph's so special. Visitors were blown away by our students in action, particularly our evidence-based Structured Literacy approach. Many also commented on our the beautiful classrooms, further enhancing our exceptional learning environment.
A huge thank you to our current families for sharing the good word and advocating for St Joseph's. Your support and word of mouth remain our greatest endorsement, and we are truly grateful for your role in making our school such a wonderful place to learn and grow.
We also give a special shout-out to our Year 6 School Tour Leaders - Morgan, Allegra, Clemmie, Evie, Ryan, Harriet S, Zoe G, Harriet B, Grace, Luca, Lila, Ben, Remy, Maddie, Rosa, Amelie, Jack and Jacob. Every family commented on the confident and polished manner in which the students proudly showcased 'their' school, and we could not be more proud. Well done, Year 6!
Creating the Right Conditions for Learning – Call to Attention
As part of our continued focus on strengthening the Conditions for Learning at St Joseph’s, teachers have been explicitly teaching and refining consistent call to attention routines across the school. These are the simple, predictable signals teachers use to gain the full attention of the class before giving instructions or moving into the next part of a lesson. You may hear phrases such as “1, 2, 3 – eyes on me,” see a clapping pattern, hear a teacher use their chimes, or notice a quiet hand signal.
While these routines may seem small, they are incredibly important. They allow learning to flow smoothly, minimise interruptions, and ensure that every child is listening and ready before new information is given. Clear attention signals protect valuable teaching time and help students practise respectful listening, self-regulation, and focus.
We encourage you to ask your child: “How does your teacher ask the class to listen?” or “What do you do when your teacher gives the attention signal?” It is wonderful to see how quickly students respond when routines are consistent. These shared expectations across classrooms are helping us build calm, focused, and highly engaged learning environments for every child.
Preps - Continuing to Excel!
Our Prep students have made an incredible start, settling into learning routines very quickly. Today was their first Wednesday at school - which meant their first experience with Tuck Shop! What joy! Thank you to all of our Prep parents for supporting your child’s transition to school with their previously scheduled Wednesdays at home. Not only does the rest benefit the students significantly, but the opportunity to complete one-on-one Literacy and Mathematics assessments is invaluable for our staff. Here are some photos of our absoutely divine Preps, we just love capturing these special moments.
School Advisory Council
It was a genuine delight to gather for our first School Advisory Council meeting of the year last week. At St Joseph’s, our School Advisory Council operates in alignment with the governance structures of Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS), providing a consultative forum through which the Principal is supported in matters relating to strategy, stewardship and the long term flourishing of our school. While governance responsibility rests with MACS, the Council plays an important advisory role, offering professional expertise, parent voice and community perspective to key initiatives and decisions.
We meet twice each term to:
- Reflect on and support the strategic direction of the school
- Provide feedback on major projects and capital works
- Consider financial stewardship and resource allocation
- Strengthen community engagement and communication
- Act as a conduit for broad parent feedback, ensuring themes, insights and questions from our community are thoughtfully considered at a strategic level
- Uphold and promote our Catholic identity and mission
St Joseph’s School Advisory Council for 2026
Claire Tobin (Principal
Luke Daffy (Deputy Principal)
Cat Anderson (Chair)
Georgie Biddlecombe (Vice Chair)
Matilda Abey
Mikk Godfrey
Michael Swan
Rosie Dawes
Peter Cho
A sincere thank you to Cat and Georgie for their generosity in taking on the roles of Chair and Vice Chair this year. We are grateful for the time, expertise and commitment of each member of the Council, as their willingness to ask considered questions and offer strategic counsel ensures that our decision making remains both informed and community focused.
Year 6 Jumpers
The Year 6s are enjoying their new jumpers and wearing them with pride. These jumpers recognise the significant contribution our Year 6s make to the fabric of our school and are a special memento of their final year at St Joseph's. Every year, our wonderful P&F make a financial contribution to the jumpers, helping to subsidize the cost for our families.
Leaders News
I encourage all families to read Mr Daffy's report on the importance of bookwork across P-6, and Miss Dusting's report on Reading Engagement. Our School Leaders do such incredible work with our students and staff every day, and the newsletter is one way we can highlight and celebrate this remarkable impact.
Classroom Parent Helper Course
This year, we once again welcome the support of parents or grandparents to assist in our Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 classrooms. All helpers who assist at school must be fully trained and have a current Working with Children Check. The school must have a copy of the card on file before parents are able to help out. There is a compulsory training session (approximately 1 hour) for all new parents from Prep - Year 2, and any parents or grandparents who would like a 'refresher'. If you have older children, it is recommended that you participate if it has been 3 or more years since you participated in the program. The training session will be run by Cassie Gleeson on Thursday March 26th at 2.30pm (either in person or via Google Meet, depending on parent preference). Parents who wish to participate are asked to please complete the Google Form.
Sustainable Practices at St Joseph's
Thank you to our families for supporting our efforts to reduce lunchbox rubbish and food waste at school. We appreciate your support in packing ‘nude food’, using reusable containers where possible, and helping us reinforce this important sustainability initiative.
Term 1 School Fees
A reminder for all parents to download the CDFPay app and link their school fees to complete their Term 1 fee payment. This app can be used to order from the canteen and all school fees will now be paid via CDFpay. Instructions are located on the CDFPay Newsletter page. If you have any futher questions please contact Fiona Scammell fscammell@sjelst.catholic.edu.au.
Dendy Swimming Competition
Today, 25 students competed at the Dendy Interschool Swimming Carnival - Imogen F, Luke M, Domenica O, Maxi S, Max O, Harriet S, Joshua L, Allegra P, Jasmine P, Elsie W, Henry P, Genevieve R, Ned V, Niamh M, Josie S, Bowie B, Nina D, Leo F, Charlotte G, Monte O, Jack P, Benedict P, Mason S, Maxi K and Evelyn W.
The event today was our first time competing in the 'Dendy' region of schools, and we are so proud of our students who placed 3rd overall. Supported by Mr Jansson, Ms Melissa and Mr Sandler, our amazing students shone in the pool, and demonstrated amazing school spirit and teamwork. Well done, St Joseph's!
Time in Lieu – What It Means at St Joseph’s
From time to time, our staff undertake duties that extend beyond their usual hours of work. This may include overnight camps, evening events, professional learning conferences, productions or significant community activities.
In line with the Victorian Catholic Education Multi-Enterprise Agreement (VCMEA) and guidance from Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS), staff are entitled to Time in Lieu (TIL) when they are required to work additional hours outside their normal rostered time. Time in Lieu recognises this commitment and provides staff with equivalent time off at a later date.
At St Joseph’s, this means that following intensive commitments such as camps or outside school hours commitments, staff may be allocated a day or part-day of leave to ensure their working conditions align with the Agreement.
Little Gems
Below is a quote from one of our little Preppies - how gorgeous!
“Every time I walk into my classroom I ask myself ‘Is this a dream?’ I can’t believe I’m at school. I love it.”
It has been such a joy to welcome to many Prep, Year 1 and Year 2 superstars into the Office, to celebrate the incredible work they are doing!
Not to be outdone, the Year 6s popped down to show off their work as well. You are never too old for a Principal sticker and a celebratory photo in the newsletter!
Well done to Year 3CS for their exceptional assembly presentation on life in Year 3 so far. It was highly entertaining!
Congratulations to Ines (Year 5), whose Broxham U11 Girls team won the Junior Academy League trophy after securing victory in the U12 Girls division in a penalty shootout!
Presley (Prep PN) brought in this sunflower to show his class. We are very impressed!
The ducks were back in action today at the swimming competition, taking up residency in our competition lane. Every year the ducks make an appearance at the pool and it always brings much joy to the kids, who sometimes even have to swim around the ducks. It seems as though they love our students as much as we do.
And finally...
Have a truly wonderful long weekend, everyone!
With the AFL season kicking off tomorrow night, it’s fair to say we’re thrilled to be kicking some goals of our own at St Joseph's (sorry, the joke wrote itself!).
Enjoy the break, and we’ll see you all next week.
Warmest,
Claire Tobin
Principal